Dr Darina O’Flanagan provides Breakfast Briefing on Ebola at DCU Business School, Home of the Emergency Planning Society in Ireland

The Emergency Planning Society Republic of Ireland held a breakfast briefing on the threat from the Ebola virus on Friday 12th December 2014 in DCU Business School. We were honoured to welcome Dr. Darina O’Flanagan, one of the country’s foremost public health specialists, and the Director of the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre to address the group.

The HPSC aims to improve the health of the Irish population by provision of the best possible information on disease including infectious diseases through surveillance and independent advice, epidemiological investigation, research and training.

The event was also a great opportunity for participants to network with other EPS members and with members of the BCI who were also be represented at event.

Since its creation in 1993, the Emergency Planning Society has become the driving force in the world of resilience. Through regular consultation with the Government we provide a voice for our members to influence change a the highest level.

Members come from the following areas: Ambulance, Business Continuity, Civil Defence, Coastguard, Communications, Consultancy, Electricity, Financial Services, Fire, Food, Garda, Health, Industry, IT, Legal, Local Authorities, Media, Pharmaceutical and Chemical companies, Public Relations, State and Semi-State Agencies, Training, Transport and Voluntary Agencies. The branch holds quarterly meetings dealing with appropriate topics. These meetings provide an opportunity for members to meet and the topics are chosen to provide something of interest to members from all areas of activity.

The DCU Business School MSc in Emergency Management is the first programme of its kind in Ireland. It has been endorsed by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, The Emergency Planning Society (Republic of Ireland Branch) and Pharmachemical Ireland as being suitable for improving the emergency management skills of individuals in both the public and private sectors. Students on the programme get the opportunity to engage with industry through these events.